I.

INTRODUCTION
A. Cold Box Basic Components
B. C
 odes and Materials of
Construction
C. Nitrogen Purge System
D. Allowable Pipe Loads
E. Handrails, Ladders, Platforms
F. Standard Factory Testing
G. Painting
H. Loose Parts
I. Valves and Instrumentation

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I. A. COLD BOX BASIC COMPONENTS
I. A. Cold Box Basic Components
A cold box consists of a carbon steel casing, usually
rectangular in shape, that supports and houses heat
exchangers, vessels, piping, other related cryogenic
equipment, and insulation material in an inert
atmosphere.
I. A. 1. Frame Tubing
The main exterior framing typically consists of vertical
carbon steel columns connected by horizontal
members at various elevations as necessary for
support of internal equipment.
I. A. 2. Internal Support Members
Main support members for vessels operating below
-20 °F (-28.9 °C) are fabricated from stainless steel or
low temperature carbon steel. A minimum of 0.50 in
(12.7 mm) of phenolic canvas base material, Micarta®,
is placed between the support angles of internal
equipment and their support beams.
The phenolic canvas serves two purposes. First, it
provides a smooth surface upon which the supports can
slide due to thermal contraction of the equipment. Second,
it impedes heat transfer into the support members to avoid
frost spots on the exterior of the cold box.
I. A. 3. Side Panels
The cold box is enclosed with 0.188 in (4.8 mm)
carbon steel side panels to create an air tight
enclosure.
I. A. 4. Roof and Floor Panels
Floor and roof panels are 0.25 in (6.4 mm) carbon
steel plate. For safety purposes, all roof panels are
JANUARY 2021
I. INTRODUCTION
made of raised pattern plate.
I. A. 5. Flexible Closeout Boots
The process connections penetrate through the cold
box panels via flexible closeout boots. The closeouts
are insulated and create an air tight seal while
accommodating the natural piping movement that
occurs when the equipment is operated (see Figure II).
I. A. 6. Lifting Lugs
The cold box includes lifting lugs for horizontal lifting during
transportation to site and vertical lifting during the erection
sequence at site.
I. A. 7. D-Rings
D-rings are provided as shipping tie downs during
transportation.
I. A. 8. Base Plates
The base plates are fabricated by Chart and shipped loose.
See section IV. A. for further details.
FIGURE II
Flexible Closeout Boot
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